Saturday saw a fantastic day at Silves when SdM entertained a group of Junior Golfers from the Pestana Academy. Playing in a Matchplay format the young golfers had a great time learning some of the arts of Matchplay. The juniors were partnered with a SdM member and the competition was fierce. After the game the prizes were presented and SdM treated the young golfers to Lunch. Many thanks to Charles Bradshaw for his work in organising the match and Captain Gary Edwards for working hard to provide such a great day. Pestana kindly provided courtesy of the course to the juniors.
Pestana SA are committed to developing golf for local school children.
They offer instruction to school parties, giving the pupils an opportunity to try golf as a sport while on release from school.
Juniors are young people who have not reached 18 in the current year.
On Saturday mornings Carlos Ribeiro, the incumbent teaching professional at the Pestana Academy, teaches the juniors as a group and supervises their development.
I remember vividly the first time I saw Silves Golf Course. It was a few weeks before it opened and I along with about 20 other SdM members were given a guided tour by Jose Matias. We travelled in a convoy of buggies and it all seemed very pleasant, until we stopped on the 5th tee and I got my first view looking down the fairway from that elevated position. It actually took my breath away, a sunny November day and a prefect vista. From that moment to today I have never tired of that view.
After the "away day" at Alto last week due to the European Seniors Competitions, the matchplay men came back home to Silves on this damp and relatively cold Thursday morning. Quite a few of the regulars were not playing today, as they were on marshalling duty for the Seniors Final at Pinta - getting very wet and very cold!
So, just 12 of us today, and only two of the three 4balls were our normal matchplay game, as Pete Vaughan and his guests played their own game.
SdM Handicap secretary Mags Taylor finished 2013 with a bang by scoring her first hole in one on the 7th hole at Gramacho today.
Saturday saw this years annual carols in the clubhouse. Again lead by Mags on the keyboard members enjoyed a hearty sing along. With mince pies and sausage rolls in abundance merriment was the order of the day.
56 players enjoyed yet another lovely December day, although when organiser Dave Tweed arrived at Silves golf course at 7.15 everything outside was covered with white frost! So, 14 teams played the Seattles Shambles game in which the best drive from the team is selected, but everyone plays their own ball after that. Please continue reading for the full photo gallery and full report.
This year's Foundation Cup, the second time it's been held, was won by Ian Chapman. A very blustery day saw some high scores with a huge majority of the competitors playing well below their handicap allowances. Ian however beat the conditions to record a magnificent 37 points including 21 on the back nine.